“I love Levine’s poetry – it speaks of the working class, of jazz, the power of music, the human condition, and topics relevant today like race relations and war.” – Ben Boone

Benjamin Boone’s new CD is a tour de force, a mellow whirlwind of jazz and poetry. – Guy Livingston

AMERICAN HIGHWAYS #107: THE POETRY OF JAZZ

In this episode of American Highways, pianist Guy Livingston brings us music of Benjamin Boone and poetry of Philip Levine. Ben’s new CD, entitled “The Poetry of Jazz”, features poems of this Pulitzer-prize-winning writer.

Benjamin Boone Playlist

Theme music:

Guy Livingston

“American Highways” improvisation (homage à Monsieur Boone)

Guy Livingston, extended piano

composed for Concertzender

Traditional Ghanese

Asafo Drumming

Asafo tribal drummers (1970’s field recording)

Smithsonian Folkways FW08858_102-DT

Benjamin Boone, composer; Philip Levine, poet

Soloing (homage to Coltrane)

The Unknowable (Homage to Sonny Rollins)

I Remember Clifford

Call It Music (Homage to Charlie Parker)

The Music Of Time

Philip Levine, narration; Benjamin Boone, sax; Tom Harrell, trumpet; Branford Marsalis, tenor sax; Greg Osby, alto sax; Chris Potter, tenor sax; Stefan Poetzsch, violin; Karen Marguth, vocals; Max Hembd, trumpet; David Aus, piano…

Origin Records 82754

Closing music:

Guy Livingston

“American Highways” improvisation (homage à Monsieur Boone)

Guy Livingston, extended piano

composed for Concertzender

 

LINKS

New York Times Levine Obituary

California Report obituary

Fresno Bee article about upcoming release

The Poetry of Jazz Video Teaser

Loverman on YouTube

Benjamin Boone website

Elizabeth Kostova’s new book, The Shadow Land

 

FULL CD CREDITS

Philip Levine – poetry and narration

Benjamin Boone – alto/soprano saxophone (all tracks but 3, 9, 13)

Tom Harrell – trumpet (track 6)

Branford Marsalis – tenor saxophone (8)

Greg Osby – alto saxophone (12)

Chris Potter – tenor saxophone (3)

Stefan Poetzsch – violin (10, 11)

Karen Marguth – vocals (1,7)

Max Hembd – trumpet (4, 5, 10)

David Aus – piano (2-6, 10-14)

Craig von Berg – piano (1, 7, 8, 10)

Spee Kosloff – bass (1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 12)

Nye Morton – bass (4, 5, 11, 14)

John Lauffenburger – bass (6,8)

Brian Hamada – drums (1-3, 6-8, 10, 12)

Gary Newmark – drums (4, 5, 11, 14)

Atticus Boone – French horn (6)

Asher Boone – trumpet (6)

Produced by Donald Brown. Primary recording and engineering by Eric Sherbon, Maximus Media, Fresno, CA; Additional recording by Systems Two, Brooklyn, NY; Sutton Sound, San Luis Obispo, CA; and Squeeze Studio, Blue Anchor, NJ.; Mixed and Mastered by Mike Marciano, Systems Two,